3 minute read
Feature Race Review: Saint-Cloud.
| Date | Sunday 8 May 2022 |
| Venue | Saint Cloud |
| Race | R5 – G2 Prix du Muguet (1600m) |
| Type | For four-year-olds and above |
| Winner | Sibila Spain |
| Jockey | Aurélien Lemaitre |
| Trainer | Christopher Head |
| Breeding | Frankel x L'Ancresse |
| Second | Dilawar |
| Third | Hurricane Dream |
Highly talented four-year-old daughter of Frankel, Sibila Spain recorded a fourth career success on Sunday at Saint Cloud when narrowly winning the G2 Prix du Muguet (1600m).
Immediately after leaving the starting stalls, Sibila Spain was settled straight to the rear and last of six runners under Aurelien Lemaitre around five lengths off the early pace setter, Mythico. Tempo remained average throughout the contest and the eventual winner had a good position, despite being in last place as she was two off the inside and able to find a clear passage easily.
Passing the 500m marker, the Christopher Head trained filly was slightly hanging towards the inside and was under some pressure to attempt to get closer with the speed increasing. The field were well bunched, and all six had a good chance in the final 400m. Sibila Spain remained in fifth place at the final 300m but eventually picked up responding in a professional manner on the outside when gradually passing her rivals.
With 150m to go she made further headway sweeping by the field. However, Dilawar provided the filly with a test resulting in a duel between the two horses to produce a great finish. Only a head split the leading two home with five of the six runners covered by less than three lengths passing the winning post.
Sibila Spain is by one of the great 1600m performers in history, Frankel and this was her fourth career triumph from eight starts. She finished fourth twice at the top-level last season including at Chantilly in the G1 Prix de Diane (2100m) and the highly talented filly looks one to note again for this season.